Mikhail Tarasov, better known by his stage name Svoy, is a Billboard-charting multi-Independent Music Award winning recording and performing music artist/producer/writer in the genre of pop/electronica. He has three self-produced albums released via Mack Avenue Records/Sony Music Entertainment, P-Vine Records/Blues Interactions and Thistime Records, respectively. In 2009, his single "Beautiful Thing" reached #69 on the Billboard Japan Hot TOP 100 Airplay and #82 on Billboard Japan Hot 100 Singles chart. Besides remaining in top 40 and 100 airplay charts of numerous major Japanese radio networks for over 8 weeks, the song peaked at #3 on Alpha Station FM Kyoto 89.4's TOP 40 Overseas Chart. Also in 2009, Svoy's album Automatons reached #100 on the Billboard Japan Top Independent Albums and Singles chart. In 2011, Automatons and its title track were nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album and Best Dance/Electronica Song at The 10th Independent Music Awards, and won in the latter category. 

March 18th, 1980 in Vladivostok (Age 44)